Chapter 2.08
PARKS AND EVENTS COMMISSION

Sections:

2.08.010    Definitions.

2.08.020    Membership.

2.08.030    Term of office – Vacancy filling.

2.08.040    Meetings.

2.08.050    Powers and duties.

2.08.060    Special meetings authorized.

2.08.070    Meetings – Quorum – Order of business.

2.08.080    Encouragement of resident interest.

2.08.090    Appointment of officers.

2.08.100    Chair duties.

2.08.110    Vice chair duties.

2.08.120    Staff liaison.

2.08.130    Council liaison.

2.08.010 Definitions.

Words used in this chapter shall have the meaning set out in this section:

A. “Commission” means the parks and events commission.

B. “Park” means an area of land, with or without water, developed and used for public recreational purposes including landscaped tracts, picnic grounds, playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, camps, footpaths, bicycle paths and bridle paths, motor vehicle drives, wildlife sanctuaries, museums, zoological and botanical gardens, facilities for bathing, boating, hunting, and fishing, as well as other recreational facilities for the use and benefit of the public.

C. “City event” means any city-sponsored cultural or recreational event, such as fun runs, roadway foot races, fundraising walks, parades, carnivals, shows, exhibitions, and fairs that promote tourism, foster economic revitalization of downtown and neighborhoods and provide cultural activities for residents. The city of Snoqualmie encourages such events within an environment that allows for the excitement and fun anticipated, yet adequately provides for the protection of citizens, visitors and all participants involved. Events are further defined in SMC 12.20.030. (Ord. 1259 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 1, 2017; Ord. 382A § 1, 1970).

2.08.020 Membership.

There is created the parks and events commission, consisting of five members serving in nonpartisan positions, who shall be appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the majority of the city council, from individuals who reside within the city. No commissioner shall receive any compensation for their services. (Ord. 1259 § 3, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 2, 2017; Ord. 553 § 1, 1985; Ord. 382A § 2, 1970).

2.08.030 Term of office – Vacancy filling.

Terms of commissioners shall begin after appointment has been approved by the city council. Commission members shall serve four-year terms. The terms of office shall commence March 1st of each year of appointment. Members of the commission may be removed at any time by the mayor. Vacancies for the remainder of unexpired terms shall be filled in the same manner in which original appointments are made. (Ord. 1259 § 5, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 3, 2017; Ord. 382A § 3, 1970).

2.08.040 Meetings.

Regular meetings of the commission shall be held the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Snoqualmie City Hall. Any changes to regular meeting times and places shall be posted pursuant to Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act. (Ord. 1259 § 6, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 4, 2017; Ord. 382A § 4, 1970).

2.08.050 Powers and duties.

The commission shall advise the city council through the mayor regarding the expansion and operation of the city parks and recreational facilities and programs, but shall have no administrative or supervisory powers not available to the council. The commission shall have the power to advise regarding the establishment of a park and/or recreation department, hereinafter called “the department,” and regarding the employment of necessary personnel, and to advise regarding conduct of any form of recreation or cultural activity that will employ the leisure time of the people in a constructive and wholesome manner, and shall advise regarding control and supervision of all parks belonging to the city, and advise regarding planning, promotion, management and acquisition, construction, development, maintenance, and operation, including restrictions on, and compensation to be paid for, concessions or privileges in parks and/or playgrounds, either within or without the city limits, or parks, squares, parkways and boulevards, play and recreational grounds, and/or other municipally owned recreational facilities, including community buildings, and improvement and ornamentation of the same; make recommendations regarding entering into written contracts with the United States, the state, and county, city or town park district, school district, or any such public organizations for the purpose of conducting a recreational program or exercising any other power granted by this chapter.

The commission shall also be responsible for making recommendations through the mayor to the city council on the planning, coordinating and operations of city events. The mayor may make decisions on city event planning without input from the commission as the mayor deems appropriate. (Ord. 1190 § 5, 2017; Ord. 382A § 5, 1970).

2.08.060 Special meetings authorized.

Special meetings may be called at any time upon the request of the commission chair, the mayor or any two commissioners; provided, that notice of the special meeting to the public and commissioners shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 42.30 RCW. (Ord. 1190 § 6, 2017).

2.08.070 Meetings – Quorum – Order of business.

Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting. The order of business at the meetings shall be determined by the chair as set forth in his or her prepared agenda. (Ord. 1259 § 7, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 7, 2017).

2.08.080 Encouragement of resident interest.

The commission should encourage resident interest and participation by enlisting volunteers to provide input into the commission’s city event planning and recommendations, and to participate in city events. (Ord. 1259 § 8, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 8, 2017).

2.08.090 Appointment of officers.

The commission shall elect all officers annually. Officers shall include a chairperson and vice chairperson. (Ord. 1259 § 9, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 9, 2017).

2.08.100 Chair duties.

It shall be the duty of the chair to preside at all meetings of the commission, to sign such official papers as are approved by the commission, and to prepare an agenda, in cooperation with the staff liaison, to be distributed to all members of the commission prior to the next regular meeting, but no later than 24 hours in advance of the published start time of the meeting, pursuant to Chapter 42.30 RCW, Open Public Meetings Act. (Ord. 1259 § 10, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 10, 2017).

2.08.110 Vice chair duties.

The vice chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson. (Ord. 1190 § 11, 2017).

2.08.120 Staff liaison.

The city administrator, or their designee, shall designate a staff liaison to assist the parks and events commission. The staff liaison shall keep a record of all meetings, pursuant to RCW 42.30.035. (Ord. 1259 § 11, 2022; Ord. 1190 § 12, 2017).

2.08.130 Council liaison.

The mayor pro tem shall annually appoint one councilmember to serve as a liaison between the city council and the parks and events commission. (Ord. 1259 § 12, 2022).